National Conference to tackle elder abuse

The 4th National Elder Abuse Conference, hosted by Seniors Rights Victoria in Melbourne from 23-25 February 2016, is seeking a national approach to tackling this insidious problem.

“Family violence doesn’t stop just because people get older,” says Seniors Rights Victoria’s spokesperson, Jenny Blakey.

“By bringing together a huge range of practitioners, this Conference will be critical in help Australia prevent and respond to elder abuse.” 

The conference theme is Ageism, Rights and Innovations and national and international speakers include Federal Attorney General George Brandis , Age Discrimination Commissioner Susan Ryan and Professor Marie Beaulieu from Quebec. 

Keynote addresses will be delivered by Professor Mick Dodson from the Centre for Indigenous Studies at ANU, and Dr Jacqueline Berman from New York, who will speak about the impact of elder abuse on older peoples’ mental health, and unique interventions.

Other speakers will talk about elder abuse in regional and culturally diverse communities, the invisibility of sexual assault of older people, and strategies for prevention and intervention. 

There is a lack of prevalence studies, but the World Health Organisation estimates that up to 10 percent of older people worldwide are affected by elder abuse.

Like other forms of family violence, elder abuse is about one person having control over another.  It reflects the gender inequality and the inequality arising from ageism that is rife in our society today.

Elder abuse is defined as any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust, such as a family member or friend. The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect.

Seniors Rights Victoria’s clients include:

• Women abused by their husbands all their lives, now being abused by their children
• A grandmother forced to hand over her pension money to her grandson after he threatened to kill her cat
• A mother isolated from the outside world by her mentally ill daughter
• A father bashed by his ice-addicted son
• A couple facing financial ruin after their daughter abused her power of attorney.

Amongst other initiatives, Seniors Rights Victoria is calling for:

• Public awareness campaigns
• Training of people who work with older people
• Improved registration and monitoring of powers of attorney, and
• A service which can investigate abuse allegations raised by concerned others

Older Victorians experiencing elder abuse can get help by calling Seniors Rights Victoria on 1300 368 821 Monday to Friday or visit the website. Seniors Rights Victoria is a program of COTA Vic and is supported by the Victorian Government.

The 4th National Elder Abuse Conference is held from 23 to 25 February 2016 at the Pullman on the Park in Melbourne. For more information visit elderabuseconference.org.au